The Basoga Nseete, the defending champions, were this time round disqualified after it was discovered that they had broken the rules governing participation. Particularly, they fielded a student from outside the UCU community. According to the regulations, nonUCU students are not allowed to be part of the competition, and all participants are expected to present a copy of their valid registration passbook before the gala begins.

The Woman Member of Parliament for Serere District, Ms Alice Alaso, who attended the gala, applauded the university for giving an opportunity to students to discover and grow within their cultures.

“It is important for us as a country to recognise and appreciate each others’ culture. I am not from Kigezi but I almost joined these vigorous dancers on stage because I appreciate the love they put into their culture,” she said.

She added that this cultural diversity is what Uganda needs to tap into instead of wasting a lot of money in patriotism classes.

Also cautioned the students to stay away from negative cultural influences like drug abuse, corruption and homosexuality.

“These vices are targeting the young people but you should always go back to your roots by which you can be identified,” she said.

Early this month Vilma Achieng was voted the Most Valuable Player (MVP) for the National Basketball League playoffs after leading her side to winning the title.
She also won the best rebounder, top scorer and best centre in the Zone V Club championship where the team won bronze.
Achieng was born on 23, 1993, in Siayi County, western Kenya, to the late Joseph Owino and Rose Akinyi.
She went to Wera Primary School from 1998 to 2007 before joining Raliew Secondary School for her O-level from 2008-2011.
She previously played volleyball and football before she decided to concentrate on basketball.

Joining Lady Canons
Uganda Christian University (UCU) administration, with the help of an old friend and former Canons player, Robert Mugabe, advised her to join the Lady Canons despite her having wished to play aboard. She accepted the offer.
“While on the team, I began improving as a player each day and built a lot of personal confidence,” she said of her acceptance.

Awards
In 2015, Achieng was named the MVP in that season’s National Basketball League. After consulting teammates, Coach Nicholas Natuhereza made her captain.
In 2014, she had also been voted the league’s top scorer and best rebounder. under her leadership, Lady Canons have managed to win the championship for three years in a
row (2015-2017).
Emmanuel Kiguyi, the Lady Canons tactician, says Achieng is an amazingly gifted
sportsperson who has grown as a player and leader in the past few seasons.
“I think she has finally become comfortable and confident in her role as a team leader and I am confident there is more to come from her,” he says.
on any given night, he says, she is capable of being the most dominant force in Uganda women basketball if she puts her mind to it and this is the next challenge she has to take on.
She was impressed for having won the MVP but is now focusing on the new challenge ahead, she said, when contacted.

Academics and sports
She says advanced preparations help her to balance the two.
Despite having many other achievements, Achieng who is on a full sports scholarship plans to play professional basketball outside the region.
She is a student pursuing a bachelor’s degree in education.